Re: Hello out there, we're on the air, it's hockey night ton
PostedCOLON Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:21 am
So I watched the Leafs replay last night. A couple of comments:
- Until the third period, the Leafs gap control was exceptional. Defensemen were getting themselves open for a emergency outlet pass, and one defenseman played a great role in ensuring that every foray into the Sens' zone was smooth: Liles. He didn't hesitate to curl away from weaving through the neutral zone if he felt the risk outweighed the opportunity. He was very good with the puck in the first two periods.
- Phaneuf was a beast. Near perfect positioning every time a Sens player isolated him one-on-one. Didn't hesitate to throw a jab on the boards either. He was as controlled as he was dirty.
- Kessel was a monster. Several times throughout the night he used his speed and dexterity to frustrate Sens players into giving away the puck. His last goal was an absolute beauty of a snap-shot too. Far right corner. Jeez.
- Schenn, Komisarek, and Gardiner were awful. I've been on the Gardiner to the AHL bandwagon since the Leafs third or fourth preseason game, and last night's game did nothing to damper that expectation he should be in the minors. Komisarek policed the front of the net well, but looked outclassed several times in isolation. Schenn was struggling all night. I expected this to happen: forecheckers double teaming on Schenn. He'll have to adapt to it better than Kaberle did. He's got the size, the IQ, and the ability to handle it. But there will be a transition period where he'll stumble. Not worried at all.
- Until the third period, the Leafs gap control was exceptional. Defensemen were getting themselves open for a emergency outlet pass, and one defenseman played a great role in ensuring that every foray into the Sens' zone was smooth: Liles. He didn't hesitate to curl away from weaving through the neutral zone if he felt the risk outweighed the opportunity. He was very good with the puck in the first two periods.
- Phaneuf was a beast. Near perfect positioning every time a Sens player isolated him one-on-one. Didn't hesitate to throw a jab on the boards either. He was as controlled as he was dirty.
- Kessel was a monster. Several times throughout the night he used his speed and dexterity to frustrate Sens players into giving away the puck. His last goal was an absolute beauty of a snap-shot too. Far right corner. Jeez.
- Schenn, Komisarek, and Gardiner were awful. I've been on the Gardiner to the AHL bandwagon since the Leafs third or fourth preseason game, and last night's game did nothing to damper that expectation he should be in the minors. Komisarek policed the front of the net well, but looked outclassed several times in isolation. Schenn was struggling all night. I expected this to happen: forecheckers double teaming on Schenn. He'll have to adapt to it better than Kaberle did. He's got the size, the IQ, and the ability to handle it. But there will be a transition period where he'll stumble. Not worried at all.